By Tim Frye

Let’s say your planning on jumping ship and moving to another state for work.  Well it would be prudent to first consider how much your going to be paying for property tax, sales tax, and the all encompassing elephant in the room, income tax.  Anywhere you go the Federal government is due to take its fair share of income tax, but state tax can vary widely and will make a big difference on your overall tax at the end of the day.  Some state income tax rates vary by your income bracket and circumstances, while others levy no income tax whatsoever.  Those states are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.  Let’s take a look at the states that have the highest income tax across the board.

New York Has the Highest State Tax

For income tax collections per capita in 2014 the tax foundation states that the big apple is in the lead when it comes to income tax, finishing out at $1,864 per individual taxpayer.  The four following New York per capita are: Conneticut at $1,808, Massachusets at $1,765, Oregon at $1,425 and Minnesota at $1,404. 

States with the HIghest Overall Income Tax

Here are the states with the highest top income tax rates and also the highest rates for the middle class as recorded by the Tax Foundation and the Heritage Foundation. 

1.California

If you decide you want to skip town for good and come to the land of the stars, then you better be ready to watch your paycheck be thoroughly emaciated.  California is number one when it comes to income tax rate, with their top marginal bracket at 13.3%.  This means that California takes more from its big time earners more than any other state. 

Oregon

Oregon maintains the highest tax rate for the middle class at 9%.  This means that when you combine a middle class tax rate of this potency with the federal rate, you could be looking at a middle class tax burgeoning beyond 52.3!

2.  Hawaii and Maine

Hawaii

Hawaii holds the second highest income tax rate, and also take the cake for the second highest sales/excise tax collection per capita, taking  a whopping $2,394 on average from each taxpayer.

Maine

Maine has a middle class tax rate of 8.5%.  When you include federal taxes Maine’s total marginal income tax rate is 51.8.

3.  Oregon and Idaho

Oregon has a top tax rate of 9.9%.  it is the only state that sits at the peak of five lists in all three categories surveyed.  Those were top income tax rates, middle class income tax rates and incoem tax collection per capita. 

Idaho

Idaho boasts a middle-class tax rate of 7.8%, ranking the home of the potatoe twelfth highest among states that have an individual income tax. 

4.  Iowa and Hawaii

Iowa’s top rate levels out at a staunch 8.98%, and is the only one of the landlocked states that sits in the top five due to top income taxrates and holds the title of having the highest corporate income tax rate of 12%. 

Hawaii

The state of surf, sun, and tranquility is not all that serene when it comes to the way it taxes the middle class.  Hawaii has a middle class tax rate of 7.6%, and consistently is counted as one of the highest taxing states. 

5.  New Jersey and Minnesota

New Jersey

The Jersey Shore may be about the gym, tanning, and laundry, but it is also about taking a big chunk out of your paycheck every other week.  The state has a healthy 8.97% tax rate and also has the highest property taxes in the entire country. 

Minnesota

Minnesota has a middle class tax rate of 7.1% and also taxes corporation at the third highest rate overall at 9.8%.. 

Where Should I Move to Find the Lowest State Income Tax Rates?

Life is really a catch 22 sometimes.  You want to move to a beautiful state like California and are making good money at a job that alllows you to go there, but the cost of living is so high it changes your whole lifestyle.  For these popular states you have to pay the price for that beautiful weather.  So be sure to take a deep look at the states that offer the lowest state tax if you want to make a change. 

Are you looking for information on taxes?  Are you a tax preparer yourself looking to learn as much as possible for the upcoming tax season?  Then go to prontotaxclass.com and find everything tax related right at your fingertips!